Improving Patient Outcomes with Relationship-Based Care

Abstract

With the US nursing shortage anticipated to grow to more than a quarter of a million by 2025, 1 Buerhaus P Auerbach DI Staiger DO The recent surge in nursing employment: causes and implications. Health Aff. 2009; 28: w657-w668 Crossref PubMed Scopus (321) Google Scholar retention of registered nurses (RNs) has never been more important. Shortages in this decade are already staggering in the area of medical/surgical care, with a 14.1% national vacancy rate. 2 The HSM Group Ltd Acute care hospital survey of RN vacancy and turnover rates in 2000. Paper presented to the American Organization of Nurse Executives. Accessed at http://www.wha.org/workforce/pdf/aone-surveyrnvacancy.pdf Google Scholar As national turnover trends increase, nurses will become more mobile and more difficult to replace. Vacancy rates have wide-ranging impacts, including closed beds, restricted admissions, decreased quality of care, and higher costs to deliver care. 3 Lafer G Moss H Kirtner R Rees V Solving the Nursing Shortage. Study commissioned by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. http://www.afscme.org/publications/1193.cfm Google Scholar The direct costs for recruiting replacement RNs is conservatively estimated at $10,000 per vacancy. 3 Lafer G Moss H Kirtner R Rees V Solving the Nursing Shortage. Study commissioned by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. http://www.afscme.org/publications/1193.cfm Google Scholar With the US nursing shortage anticipated to grow to more than a quarter of a million by 2025, 1 Buerhaus P Auerbach DI Staiger DO The recent surge in nursing employment: causes and implications. Health Aff. 2009; 28: w657-w668 Crossref PubMed Scopus (321) Google Scholar retention of registered nurses (RNs) has never been more important. Shortages in this decade are already staggering in the area of medical/surgical care, with a 14.1% national vacancy rate. 2 The HSM Group Ltd Acute care hospital survey of RN vacancy and turnover rates in 2000. Paper presented to the American Organization of Nurse Executives. Accessed at http://www.wha.org/workforce/pdf/aone-surveyrnvacancy.pdf Google Scholar As national turnover trends increase, nurses will become more mobile and more difficult to replace. Vacancy rates have wide-ranging impacts, including closed beds, restricted admissions, decreased quality of care, and higher costs to deliver care. 3 Lafer G Moss H Kirtner R Rees V Solving the Nursing Shortage. Study commissioned by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. http://www.afscme.org/publications/1193.cfm Google Scholar The direct costs for recruiting replacement RNs is conservatively estimated at $10,000 per vacancy. 3 Lafer G Moss H Kirtner R Rees V Solving the Nursing Shortage. Study commissioned by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. http://www.afscme.org/publications/1193.cfm Google Scholar